A big benefit of flying with Alaska Airlines is that when you have to check-in luggage, you can relax in the knowledge that the carrier is going to work really hard to get your luggage on the carousel as quickly as possible after you’ve arrived at your destination.
Why? Well, Alaska Airlines has long promised to get check-in baggage back to passengers within 20 minutes of arrival. In effect, that means your baggage should be waiting for you by the time you’ve deplaned and walked to the arrivals hall.
And if Alaska fails to fulfil its guarantee, you could be eligible for compensation, although its worth finding out the exact details of the guarantee and important exceptions.
What is the 20 minute baggage guarantee?
Alaska Airlines first introduced its baggage guarantee in 2009, becoming the first major U.S. carrier to promise to return checked-in luggage in a timely fashion. At the time, it was a 25 minute guarantee, but a year later, in 2010, Alaska introduced its 20 minute baggage guarantee.
Simply put, your checked-in luggage should be on the baggage carousel within 20 minutes of the aircraft arriving at its gate. If it isn’t, then passengers can claim a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles.
Alaska Airlines won’t automatically offer you compensation if it takes longer for your baggage to arrive, and there are a number of exceptions you need to be aware of.
How do you make a claim if your baggage arrives late?
If your luggage does take longer than 20 minutes to arrive, then you’ll need to submit a claim in person at an Alaska Airlines baggage office within two hours of your flight’s arrival.
If you don’t make a claim within this time frame, or attempt to claim by contacting an Alaska Airlines customer service rep after you’ve left the airport, you won’t be eligible for the voucher or bonus miles.
If you choose a future travel voucher, then an agent will be able to provide a code straightaway, whereas it can take up to three days for the bonus miles to be posted to your Mileage Plan account.
You can only claim once per passenger no matter how many pieces of luggage you have checked in.
What flights aren’t eligible for the baggage guarantee?
The Alaska Airlines 20-minute baggage guarantee covers most flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and SkyWest. However, international flights that require customs clearance aren’t covered by this guarantee.
This could include flights from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico and the Carribean.
Flights between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor are also not covered by the baggage guarantee.
Are there any other exemptions?
There are two other reasons why you won’t be able to make a claim under the Alaska Airlines 20 minute baggage guarantee:
- Alaska Airlines has suspended the guarantee due to severe weather or a baggage system breakdown.
- You’ve checked in oversized baggage. This includes mobility devices and wheelchairs, as well as golf clubs, skis, and surfboards. This category also includes checked pets.
How much does it cost to check baggage on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines is increasing its checked baggage fees from January 2, 2023. It will now cost:
- $35 for the first checked bag
- $45 for the second checked bag
- $150 each for the third and any additional checked bags
Children’s strollers and child car seats, as well as mobility aids and wheelchairs, are exempt from these fees, but remember that these items are classed as oversized baggage, so they aren’t eligible for the 20 minute baggage guarantee.
How to get free checked bags
Alaska Airlines is the first major U.S. carrier to up its checked baggage fees in the last few years, and now its one of the most expensive carriers for checked baggage. There are, however, a number of ways to avoid these charges and still take advantage of the 20 minute baggage guarantee.
Alaska Airlines cobranded credit card
If you’re not an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite, then one of the easiest ways to avoid checked bag fees is with a co-branded credit card. Alaska Airlines offers two co-branded credit cards, both of which allow you to check your first bag for free, as well as six travel companions.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card also offers priority boarding, access to Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare when you spend more than $6,000, 3 miles for every $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and no foreign transaction fees.
For a limited time, you can also get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare when you spend $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card is currently offering 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
The Visa Business Card also offers:
- 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your new card.
- $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership
- Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
OneWorld elite status
If you hold elite status with any other OneWorld carrier, then you can also avoid Alaska’s baggage fees. Ruby and Sapphire members get their first and second bags checked for free, and Emerald members get their first, second and third bags checked for free.
